The affable CEO of TaylorMade-adidas Golf was up early for an appearance on Golf Channel's Morning Drive. He shook hands with PGA Merchandise Show attendees, signed a couple of autographs, took some pictures, and even received a hug from TMaG brand ambassador Natalie Gulbis.

Minutes later, inside a private meeting room of the Orange County Convention Center a more serious King dropped a bomb.

During a very direct discussion focused on the proposed ban on anchoring, King said in no uncertain terms the following: the United States Golf Association (USGA) could become obsolete within 10 years; the PGA of America should step in, write its own set of rules with input from the PGA Tour then move beyond the USGA. He also said two sets of rules are coming whether the USGA likes it or not.

Mike Davis deserves equal time. The USGA's executive director will have the opportunity to respond to these comments if he so chooses. With that being said, the following is a transcript of our discussion with King.

SG: A few weeks ago the USGA and R&A came out with a proposed ban on anchor putting. Thoughts on the situation?

King: "The anchoring ban makes no sense to me at all. I mean I thought they were regulating equipment not how you use the equipment. So what happens when we find a new way to swing? Are they going to regulate or eliminate that? That's the problem I see. There doesn't seem to be any end to where the USGA wants to go. That to me is wrong. And you know me. I've been the biggest supporter of the USGA for 30 years. Whatever they've done we've gone along with. Now they've taken it too far."

SG: How do you see it playing out?

King: "I don't think this is an equipment issue. I think it’s a golfer issue. What I think needs to happen is the industry needs to come together without the USGA. Leave them out."

SG: That's pretty extreme.

King: "I know but it needs to be extreme. We have an industry that should be growing, it should be exciting, it should be fun and it’s not. And it’s not because the USGA won't let it. Now the USGA would tell you 'Oh, we don't have that power we only make the rules.' But the way this is constructed is the top of the pyramid is the USGA and until they support a new form of golf that is fun and engaging, nothing is going to change. Nothing."

SG: So what needs to happen?

King: "If I were running the PGA of America I would write my own set of rules. I'd do it with the PGA Tour. Right so then what would happen with the U.S. Open and those 11 tournaments? They would follow suit because they would have no choice. Because if they don't have any players they don't have any tournament and if they don't have any tournament they don't have any money."

SG: The term rules bifurcation applies right?

King: "It makes sense to me. I don't like it but I think we need to do it. Absolutely. I think we need to tell golfers you can play with a 15" cup, with 20 clubs in your bag, by playing winter rules, taking a gimme and saying that's cool. It's fine. It's okay to do that. Enjoy it."

SG: You sound scared for the future of the game. Are you?

King: “No not yet. But the conversations are intensifying. If we don't do something different and new and creative then the game is in trouble. If we weren't having these conversations right now then I would say yes, it’s in trouble. Here's a prediction: the USGA within 10 years will be a non-entity, they will be a non-factor in golf because they are choosing to be on the outside and no one is signing up for what they represent. The industry is going to move away from them and pass them. They're obsolete. I hate to say that but that's their behaviour.”

SG: Will you express all this to Mike (Davis)?

King: "I'm going to see him on this trip. Yes, in the next day or two we'll talk.”

SG: I assume it will be a fairly forthright Mark King conversation?

King: "You know me. They are only ones I'm capable of having. And look I'm not saying that's what I want. I want the USGA to come out and say for the good of the game were going to do some things whether they are going to expand to have tournament rules and non-tournament rules. Then it could still be sponsored by the USGA. And not only do we have two different rules but this is the way we want you to play the game so you can have fun. Then guess what? If you and me and (John) Kawaja and (Sean) Toulon go out on a Saturday morning we can say 'Okay boys, today were playing tournament rules.' It's not very complicated. It doesn't have to be."

SG: How do you go forward from this as a business then?

King: “What we’re (TMaG) going to do whether there is bifurcation or not is we will continue to make long putters for golfers. If they roll the ball back we're not going to roll our ball back. We will for a tournament ball but we’re still going to sell you a ball you can play. Like I said, two sets of rules are coming. Whether they're sanctioned or not we are not going to stop making long putters and I'm not going to stop playing one. I won't. By the time it happens the USGA is either going to have to get with it or stand off somewhere all by themselves. And look I'm still not convinced the PGA Tour is going to completely embrace the long putter rule. I'm not. So what's going to happen? If Tim Finchem says he's going to use all the USGA rules EXCEPT the long putter rule there you go. You have two sets of rules. That's where it’s going and it’s coming fast. The sadness I have for the USGA is instead of leading this they're fighting it and for what reason? I don't know.”

SG: So what's the message from your perspective?

King: “The whole world, not just golf, the whole world is about innovation and new and exciting and consumers only want what's new and exciting. They don't want last year, they want new, innovative cool stuff and if we’re going to stop that or limit that we’re going to kill the industry not just equipment but the playing of the game. So if the USGA doesn't jump on board and lead this new way of golf, like I said, they're just going to be obsolete. And if Finchem goes ahead and leaves the long putter in, it’s just the start. The USGA is going over the edge.”

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Comments

For all of you who disagree with Mark King, realize you are in the minority. 85% of golfers do not have a USGA Handicap, 73% of golfers knowingly break the USGA Rules. Only a tiny fraction of golfers must play according to the USGA Rules.
I believe the USGA should dictate how people play at the highest levels of the game (US Open, Masters, etc.). At the highest levels this game should be a contest of skill, not a test of equipment technology. However, the evolution of golf equipment and technique is one of the few traditions of golf and this tradition has been around long before the USGA was even a thought. It has made the game a lot more fun for recreational golfers - the majority of golfers. If you don't believe me, be a "true traditionalist" and go back to playing with a hickory stick and a rock or feathery or gutta percha ball - or is that too traditionalist for you? The ProV1 tradition stated in 2001... Does 12 year make a tradition?
Another tradition of golf is "the foursome decides on the rules on the first tee" - this tradition pre-dates any golfers reading this post. Most golfers (>50%) decide on things like Mulligans, gimme putts and winter rules before the game starts - all are violations of USGA Rule 1-3 and the penalty for breaking the rule is "disqualification" (does this mean if I offer a gimme to a business associate and he takes it, we both have to leave the course???). This tradition of agreeing on the rules on the first tee pre-dates the USGA and it also pre-dates composite drivers with tungsten weight screws and $1000 shafts with tapered tips and special designed kick point.... So please, no more "Tradition of Golf" arguments from non-traditionalists. Look at the old pictures of Arnold and Jack - nobody wore sponsor labels on their hat or shirt or bag. If you want to be a traditionalist, please dispense with the advertising all over your clothing.
All Mark King is really saying is this: Golf is a wonderful game. People have a right to enjoy their free time however they want. Mark wants to see more people enjoy the game. It is that simple. He doesn't want to see the game suffer because of a set of rules that can't even be followed during a Saturday round (read the rules and you will see what I mean) and an institution that has not business telling recreational golfers how to play their game. Sure he has a vested interest in selling more clubs, but what is wrong with that? As CEO he has a responsibility to support and try to grow his company. I worked with Mark in the late 90's when he was VP Sales at Callaway Golf and as far as I have ever known, Mark has been 100% dedicated to the game of golf. He is acting in the best interests of the game of golf. Furthermore, through his leadership and hard work TMG has created a lot of jobs for people and these days that should be thought of as a good and noble accomplishment.
There is room for all types of golfers these days. Those who play strictly by the USGA rules and those who play more traditional golf. It makes me happy to see that the recreational golfers (85% of golfers), are tolerant and accepting of the minority of golfers. But why should I be surprised, after all, this accepting behavior is another tradition of the game.
Enjoy the Game (at whatever level you choose).

Wow, what an eye-opener. The CEO of TMaG comes off sounding like a whiny kindergartner who wants to turn golf into a game of putt-putt. Seriously? 15" cup? What kind of clown golf is that? And 20 clubs in the bag? What a transparent ploy for TMaG to sell more golf clubs and accessories - like golf wagons to lug all those clubs around in!
And talk about disrespectful. He attacks the USGA, an organization that has been around since 1894 that has done an incredible, job along with the R&A, in maintaining the integrity of the game of golf. Now Mark King has the audacity to say that the USGA will be a "non-entity" and a "non-factor in golf" within 10 years? Talk about hubris...this guy's got an ego the size of Jupiter!
Mark King thinks he knows better than anyone else what's good for golf, and that he speaks for the average golfer. He's wrong. All my "average" golfing friends agree that anchoring should be banned. We have no desire to play with a 15" cup, or lug around 20 TMaG clubs. We want to play by USGA rules, not some make-up, do-whatever-you-want rules that will make you "feel good" about playing golf. I already feel good about playing by the rules - it's a blast!
Mark King speaks for himself and his company only, and loves the press he gets.
Tell you what Mark King, you keep spouting off and denigrating a great institution. As for me, I'll never buy another TMaG product as long as you're the CEO!

Obviously Mr King's comments have shown how controversial this issue of anchoring has become and that is unfortunate as it should not be an issue at all.
The USGA/R&A proposed rule is based on their somewhat narrow interpretation of anchoring. The proposed rule has nothing to do with either the belly or long putter, cheating, or having an unfair advantage over their competitors.
Indeed they are saying that the use of either club is permitted, is not cheating as it is. and always has been for the last 30-40 years permitted under the rules. In addition all competitors have the choice of using this equipment in any manner permitted under the rules.
The proposed rule would not allow either either the grip, hand or arm down to elbow to come into contact (anchored) with either the torso or head. But anchoring the grip up to the elbow would be permitted. Difficult to see the logic here but take the case of the long putter where some players may rest their chin on the top of the grip. This would not be permitted under the proposed rule. But if the chin is raised slightly above the grip (and assuming they do not have a long beard) that is acceptable under the rule. The same is true for a hand held against the chest or into the belly also making allowances for the female anatomy and those with a larger belly. Rules officials are going to have a lot of fun determining if contact was intentional or only incidental with clothing, etc accidently being brushed.
It is hard to see what is being accomplished with the proposed rule in "protecting the game". If this is truly the case it should have been addressed decades ago and calls into question the competency of the governing bodies in fullfilling their responsibilities.
Their response to addressing it now is only because "too many people are using it" is not only ludicrous it is without merit. In fact the opposite is true. We are well past the point of no return and its like saying we should return to iron club heads, hickory shafts and feathery golf balls.
The effect of this proposed rule is of no benefit to any professional or amateur player and has a negative effect on hundreds of professionals and tens of thousands of amateur players. Hard to see how this will be good for the game.
I hope the USGA/R&A do not (and probably will not) become obsolete as there should be an independent body to establish rules. Nor do I agree with bifurcation as having different sets of rules/equipment for professional players and amateurs would not be good for the golf business. We all buy the latest equipment that professional hawk in that elusive goal of improving our game.
The real concern is the USGA/R&A proposing a rule of how we can and cannot hold or swing a club. Rule 14-1 states that the ball must be fairly struck and not be pushed, scraped or spooned and that is all that is necessary.
We already have a variety of grips and swings from overlapping, interlocking, baseball, cross-handed, claw, split hands, left handed, right handed and even one handed. All of these grips are one of personal preference, permitted under the rules that have been in place for hundreds of years and anchored in any form does not threaten the spirit of the game.

Indeed, King is way off base in regard to how golfers want to feel and play. They want to feel the same challenges as do the pros, and having some stupid 15 inch cup for example would make them feel like kindergarten kids out for a bit of recess play. The rules of golf are clear, no anchoring, so Mr. King, no anchoring. You go out for a giggle hit and hold the putter against the side of your head if you want, but we'll go out for a Saturday foursome and play as if it's the final round of the Masters. And unless one of our foursome members has only one arm, there'll be NO anchoring because, after all, we're preparing ahead for our future games when the rule will fall into place. So sell your Taylor Mades to somebody who wants to play some pretend golf.

Wow. this guy King has got it all wrong. The guys who play their regular game every weekend and watch golf do care about the game and its tradition. We don't want to buy new drivers, irons and putters every year just to line his pockets. We don't the industry to keep on making courses longer and longer. He should listen the those who have played the game like Nicklaus, Player and Palmer who all say the equipment and balls have gone too far and need to regulated. And by the way using the long putter is just esthetically ugly and anchoring it to your body should be illegal.

King seems to think golf was created for TaylorMade to sell golfers a new driver or set of irons every year. He doesn't care about the game... just his bottom line. They come out with their new gizmos every year to further the chase for more and more distance... causing the industry to spend billions to renovate and lengthen courses. What arrogance to think that his equipment is more important than the game itself and that the game should change to match his gear! King should create his own game that is played on 8500 yard courses and requires the use of balls and clubs without technical restrictions... oh wait... that already exists... it's the PGA Tour!

i cant help but disagree entirely. golf has been maintained and developed based on tradition. to suggest that the rules will change because people like innovative ideas and equipment is outrageous. to rid golf of its governing body in this country is to neglect tradition and dissemble the foundation the game was built on. hasnt the game grown ecponentially in the u.s.a.? the usga will not go away.